System and method for implementing open-protocol remote device control

ABSTRACT

A system and method for implementing open-protocol remote device control are provided. A user accesses a common user interface for controlling one or more networked devices. Utilizing the interface, the user selects one or more actions. The selection is encoded in a standard protocol and transmitted to a premises server. The premises server obtains the selection, accesses a device interface database and translates the selection into a device-specific protocol. The translated instruction is transmitted to the selected device for implementation. The user interface then obtains any device return data for display on the user interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/254,031, entitled System and Method for ImplementingOpen-Protocol Remote Device Control, filed on Dec. 6, 2000. U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/254,031 is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In general, the present invention relates to electronic hardwareand computer software, and in particular, to a system and method forcontrolling networked devices through a common, remote user interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Generally described, a communications network, such as asecurity-monitoring network, can often utilize a variety of deviceswithin the network. For example, a security-monitoring network caninclude image capture monitoring devices, motion detection monitoringdevices, loudspeaker output devices, and the like. Often, to manipulatea particular device, or obtain data from the device, the device requiressome form of control/instruction from a proprietary user interfaceand/or proprietary protocol. For example, video camera manufacturerstypically utilize proprietary protocols to govern control of both themechanical features (pan, tilt, zoom, etc.) and electronic features(electronic shutter speed, etc.). Moreover, a single manufacturer mayutilize different protocols for the different model devices or evendifferent versions of the same model of device.

[0004] In one embodiment, in the event a network supports multiplenetworked devices, an authorized user within the network can utilizeeach individual manufacturer-provided user interface, such as aproprietary graphical user interface, to communicate with the respectivehardware device. However, as the number of devices connected to thenetwork increases, maintaining each user interface becomes problematic.For example, a user, such as a security monitor, must receive trainingand be proficient in each type of proprietary user interface.Additionally, the size and/or usability of a central control panel, suchas a computer display screen, having each user interface can becomeburdensome. Still further, the ability of a user to implement a commontask, such as the activation of all the cameras, must be executedindividually, one interface at a time.

[0005] In another embodiment, a network can attempt to implement areduced number of device interfaces by incorporating a common userinterface template, such as a common graphical user interface, in whicheach instance of a user interface is configured with the particularcommunication protocols of a selected hardware device. Although thisconventional approach attempts to mitigate the number of the interfacesa monitor would be required to learn, this approach can remain deficientfor a number of reasons. In one aspect, the customized user interfacefor each device remains resident within the memory of the monitor'scomputer. Accordingly, non-authorized users may gain access to networkeddevices by accessing the resident user interface on the monitor'scomputer. In another aspect, because the custom user interfaces areresident on the client computer, the monitor is limited to eitherutilizing the same computer system for all device controls or to loadingand maintaining the custom user interfaces on multiple computingdevices. Additionally, the monitor may often be required to upgrade, orotherwise maintain, each instance of the user interface in the event thetemplate is modified in any manner.

[0006] In still further aspect, the addition or modification of one ormore devices within the network can create a need to delete some or allof the custom user interfaces on each computer maintained by themonitor. Similarly, if a monitor were to only require access to anetworked device one time, the monitor would still be required to loadand store the custom configured user interface for that device on theuser computer. In still a further aspect, a user, such as a monitor, mayoften have to manipulate multiple instances of the same user interfaceto control multiple networked devices at one time. Accordingly, theconventional common template approach remains deficient in requiringrepeated actions, or the management of multiple interfaces at one time.

[0007] Based on the above-described deficiencies, there is a need for asystem and method for implementing common user interface for supportingdifferent hardware device protocols in a network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A system and method for implementing open-protocol remote devicecontrol are provided. A user accesses a common user interface forcontrolling one or more networked monitoring devices. Utilizing theinterface, the user administrator selects one or more actions. Theselection is encoded in a common general language and transmitted to adevice server. The device server obtains the selection, accesses adevice interface database and translates the selection into adevice-specific protocol. The translated instruction is transmitted tothe selected device for implementation. The user interface then obtainsany device return data for display on the user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages ofthis invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomebetter understood by reference to the following detailed description,when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of illustrative of an Internetenvironment;

[0011]FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an integrated information system inaccordance with the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an integrated information systemillustrating a premises server, monitoring devices, and output deviceswithin a premises in accordance with the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative architecturefor a central server in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative architecturefor a premises server in accordance with the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an integrated information systemdepicting the generation of a graphical user interface in accordancewith the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an integrated information systemdepicting the transmission of standard protocol control instructions toa premises server and the translation of the instructions intodevice-specific protocols in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrative of a screen display of agraphical user interface for controlling networked devices in anintegrated information portal in accordance with the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrative of a device control routineimplemented by a computing device having a browser application in anintegrated information system in accordance with the present invention;and

[0019]FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrative of a standard protocolcommunication translation routine implemented by a premises server in anintegrated information system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] As described above, aspects of the present invention are embodiedin a World Wide Web (“WWW” or “Web”) site accessible via the Internet.As is well known to those skilled in the art, the term “Internet” refersto the collection of networks and routers that use the TransmissionControl Protocol/Internet Protocol (“TCP/IP”) to communicate with oneanother. A representative section of the Internet 20 is shown in FIG. 1,where a plurality of local area networks (“LANs”) 24 and a wide areanetwork (“WAN”) 26 are interconnected by routers 22. The routers 22 arespecial purpose computers used to interface one LAN or WAN to another.Communication links within the LANs may be twisted wire pair, coaxialcable, or optical fiber, while communication links between networks mayutilize 56 Kbps analog telephone lines, 1 Mbps digital T-1 lines, 45Mbps T-3 lines, or other communications links known to those skilled inthe art.

[0021] Furthermore, computers 28 and other related electronic devicescan be remotely connected to either the LANs 24 or the WAN 26 via amodem and temporary telephone or wireless link. It will be appreciatedthat the Internet 20 comprises a vast number of such interconnectednetworks, computers, and routers and that only a small, representativesection of the Internet 20 is shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] The Internet has recently seen explosive growth by virtue of itsability to link computers located throughout the world. As the Internethas grown, so has the WWW. As is appreciated by those skilled in theart, the WWW is a vast collection of interconnected or “hypertext”documents written in HyperText Markup Language (“HTML”) or other markuplanguages, which are electronically stored at “WWW sites” or “Web sites”throughout the Internet. Other interactive hypertext environments mayinclude proprietary environments, such as those provided in AmericaOnline or other online service providers, as well as the “wireless Web”provided by various wireless networking providers, especially those inthe cellular phone industry. It will be appreciated that the presentinvention could apply in any such interactive hypertext environments;however, for purposes of discussion, the Web is used as an exemplaryinteractive hypertext environment with regard to the present invention.

[0023] A Web site is a server/computer connected to the Internet thathas massive storage capabilities for storing hypertext documents andthat runs administrative software for handling requests for those storedhypertext documents. Embedded within a hypertext document are a numberof hyperlinks, i.e., highlighted portions of text that link the documentto another hypertext document possibly stored at a Web site elsewhere onthe Internet. Each hyperlink is assigned a Uniform Resource Locator(“URL”) that provides the exact location of the linked document on aserver connected to the Internet and describes the document. Thus,whenever a hypertext document is retrieved from any Web server, thedocument is considered retrieved from the World Wide Web. Known to thoseskilled in the art, a Web server may also include facilities for storingand transmitting application programs, such as application programswritten in the JAVA® programming language from Sun Microsystems, forexecution on a remote computer. Likewise, a Web server may also includefacilities for executing scripts and other application programs on theWeb server itself.

[0024] A consumer or other remote access user may retrieve hypertextdocuments from the World Wide Web via a Web browser program. A Webbrowser, such as Netscape's NAVIGATOR® or Microsoft's Internet Explorer,is a software application program for providing a graphical userinterface to the WWW. Upon request from the consumer via the Webbrowser, the Web browser locates and retrieves the desired hypertextdocument from the appropriate Web server using the URL for the documentand the HTTP protocol. HTTP is a higher-level protocol than TCP/IP andis designed specifically for the requirements of the WWW. HTTP runs ontop of TCP/IP to transfer hypertext documents between server and clientcomputers. The WWW browser may also retrieve programs from the Webserver, such as JAVA applets, for execution on the client computer.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an integrated informationsystem 200 for use with the present invention will be described.Generally described, an integrated information system 200 is asubscriber-based system allowing a number of networked devices withinone or more premises 202 to be monitored and/or controlled from a singleuser interface that may be remote from the one or more premises. Inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present inventionutilizing a monitoring network, data from one or more networkedmonitoring devices can be processed according to one or more rules thatare stored and evaluated by a central processing server 204, or group ofservers. In turn, the central processing server 204 can customize one ormore output devices according to the preferences and rights of varioussystem users. However, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciatethat the disclosed integrated information system 200 is illustrative innature and that the present invention may be utilized with alternativenetworks in communication with one or more devices.

[0026] With reference to FIG. 2A, in communication with the centralserver 204 is a central database 206 that includes a variety ofdatabases including an event logs database 208, an asset rules database210, a resource rules database 212, an asset inventory database 214, aresource inventory database 216, a device rules database 218, and anactive events database 220. The utilization of some of the individualdatabases within the central database 206 will be explained in greaterdetail below. As will be readily understood by one skilled in therelevant art, the central database may be one or more databases that maybe remote from one another. In an alternative embodiment, the centralserver 204 also maintains a device interface database for translatingstandard protocol-encoded tasks into device specific commands as will beexplained in greater detail below. Accordingly, the central server 204may perform some or all of the translation actions in accordance withthe present invention.

[0027] With continued reference to FIG. 2A, the central server 204communicates with one or more notification acceptors 222. In anillustrative embodiment, the notification acceptors 222 can include oneor more authorized users who are associated with the notificationacceptor 222. Each authorized user has a preference of notificationmeans and rights to the raw and processed monitoring data. Theauthorized users include premises owners, security directors oradministrators, on-site security guards, technicians, remote monitors(including certified and non-certified monitors), customer servicerepresentatives, emergency personnel, and others. Moreover, thenotification acceptor 222 may be a centralized facility/device that canbe associated with any number of authorized users. As will be readilyunderstood by one skilled in the art, various user authorizations may bepracticed with the present invention. Additionally, it will be furtherunderstood that one or more of the rules databases may be maintainedoutside of the central server 204.

[0028] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, thecentral server 204 communicates with the notification acceptors 222utilizing various communication devices and communication mediums. Thedevices include personal computers, handheld computing devices, wirelessapplication protocol enabled wireless devices, cellular or digitaltelephones, digital pagers, and the like. Moreover, the central server204 may communicate with these devices via the Internet utilizingelectronic messaging or Web access, via wireless transmissions utilizingthe wireless application protocol, short message services, audiotransmissions, and the like. As will be readily understood by oneskilled in the art, the specific implementation of the communicationmediums may require additional or alternative components to bepracticed. All are considered to be within the scope of practicing thepresent invention.

[0029] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, asubscriber may request access to the integrated information system 200by utilizing a browser computing device 224 connected to the system viaa communication network, such as the Internet 20. Alternatively, thebrowser computing device 224 may be in direct communication with thecentral server 204, or other computing device on the network. Inaccordance with an actual embodiment of the present invention, thecentral server 204 authenticates a user corresponding to the browsercomputing device 224 can transmit a control application 226 and/or aviewer application 228 to the browser computing device 224 such that theuser is given access to one or more devices contained with theintegrated information system 200. Accordingly, by manipulating thecontrol application 226 and/or the viewer application 228, the user canmanipulate any number of devices in the integrated information system200. A more detailed description of the generation and manipulation ofthe control application 226 and viewer application 228 will be describedbelow.

[0030] With reference now to FIG. 2B, each premises 202 can include oneor more premises servers 230 operable to communicate with the componentsof the integrated information system 200. The premise server may includeone or more device interface databases 232 for storing various devicespecific communication protocols and one or more standard integratedinformation system 200 communication protocols. As will be explained ingreater detail below, utilizing the device interface database 232, thepremises server 230 can translate standard communication protocolembedded control instructions transmitted from the central server 204 orbrowser computing device 224 into device-specific control instructionsthat will be sent to networked devices in communication with thepremises server 230. The premises server 230 can also translatedevice-specific outputs, such as digital images, from networked devicesinto standard protocol embedded results that will be transmitted to thecentral server 204 and/or the browser computing device 224.

[0031] In accordance with an illustrative monitoring network embodiment,the premises server 230 can communicate with one or more monitoringdevices 236. In an illustrative embodiment, the monitoring devices 236can include smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors. The monitoringdevices 236 can also include door and window access detectors, glassbreak detectors, motion detectors, audio detectors and/or infrareddetectors. Still further, the monitoring devices 236 can includecomputer network monitors, voice identification devices, image capturedevices, such as video cameras and still cameras, microphones and/orfingerprint, facial, retinal, or other biometric identification devices.Still further, the monitoring devices 236 can include conventional panicbuttons, global positioning satellite (“GPS”) locators, other geographiclocators, medical indicators, and vehicle information systems. Themonitoring devices 236 can also be integrated with other existinginformation systems, such as inventory control systems, accountingsystems, or the like. It will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart that additional or alternative monitoring devices 236 may bepracticed with the present invention.

[0032] The premises server 230 also communicates with one or more outputdevices 236. In an illustrative embodiment, the output devices 236 caninclude audio speakers, display or other audio/visual displays. Theoutput devices 236 may also include electrical or electromechanicaldevices that allow the system to perform actions. The output devices 236can include computer system interfaces, telephone interfaces, wirelessinterfaces, door and window locking mechanisms, aerosol sprayers, andthe like. One skilled in the relevant art will understand that the typeof output device 236 is associated primarily with the type of action thesystem produces. Accordingly, additional or alternative output devices236 are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Generally described, the central server 204 obtains variousmonitoring device data, processes the data, and outputs the data to oneor more authorized users. Additionally, some of the monitoring device234 data may be directly transmitted to the browser computing device 224for display to an authorized user. In an illustrative embodiment, thecommunication between the central server 204 and the premises server 230is remote and two-way. One skilled in the relevant art will understandthat the premises server 230 may be remote from the premises 202. Insuch an alternative embodiment, the monitoring devices 236 transmit themonitoring data to a remote premises server 230 or alternatively, theytransmit the monitoring data directly to the central server 204.Alternatively, one skilled in the relevant art will also appreciate thatthe premises server 230 may also perform one or more of the functionsillustrated for the central server 204.

[0034] For certain type of monitoring devices 234, such as image capturedevices, additional devices or processes associated with imagingprocessing, usually called grabbers 238 are connected to or controlledby monitoring devices 234. Images from the image capture monitoringdevices 236 are processed by the grabber 238 into certain generallyacceptable standard image format, such as bitmap, joint photographicexpert group (“jpeg”), or the like. Additionally, the outputs from thegrabber 238 may be transmitted to a web server 240 for delivery to thebrowser computing device 224.

[0035]FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative architecturefor the central server 204. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the central server 204 includes many more componentsthen those shown in FIG. 3. However, it is not necessary that all ofthese generally conventional components be shown in order to disclose anillustrative embodiment for practicing the present invention. As shownin FIG. 3, the central server 204 includes a network interface 300 forconnecting directly to a LAN or a WAN, or for connecting remotely to aLAN or WAN. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thenetwork interface 300 includes the necessary circuitry for such aconnection, and is also constructed for use with the TCP/IP protocol orother protocols, such as Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (“IIOP”). Thecentral server 204 may also be equipped with a modem for connecting tothe Internet through a point-to-point (“PPP”) connection or aserial-line Internet protocol (“SLIP”) connection as known to thoseskilled in the art.

[0036] The central server 204 also includes a processing unit 302, adisplay 304, and a mass memory 306, all connected via a communicationbus, or other communication device. The mass memory 306 generallycomprises a RAM, ROM, and a permanent mass storage device, such as ahard disk drive, tape drive, optical drive, floppy disk drive, orcombination thereof. The mass memory 306 stores an operating system forcontrolling the operation of the central server 204. It will beappreciated that this component may comprise a general-purpose serveroperating system as is known to those skilled in the art, such as UNIX,LINUX™, or Microsoft WINDOWS NT®. In an illustrative embodiment of thepresent invention, the central server 204 may also be controlled by auser through use of a computing device, which may be directly connectedto or remote from the central server 204.

[0037] The mass memory 306 also stores program code and data forinterfacing with the premises devices, for processing the device data,and for interfacing with various authorized users. More specifically,the mass memory 306 stores a premises interface application 310 inaccordance with the present invention for obtaining data from a varietyof monitoring devices 236 and for communicating with the premises server230. The premises interface application 310 comprisescomputer-executable instructions that when executed by the centralserver 204, interface with the premises server 230 as will be explainedbelow in greater detail. The mass memory 306 also stores a dataprocessing application 312 for processing monitoring device data inaccordance with rules maintained within the central server 204. The massmemory 306 further stores an authorized user interface application 314for outputting the processed monitoring device data to a variety ofauthorized users in accordance with the security process of the presentinvention. It will be appreciated that these components may be stored ona computer-readable medium and loaded into the memory of the centralserver 204 using a drive mechanism associated with the computer-readablemedium, such as a floppy, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM drive, or network interface300.

[0038]FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting an illustrative architecturefor a premises server 230 formed in accordance with the presentinvention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that thepremises server 230 includes many more components then those shown inFIG. 4. However, it is not necessary that all of these generallyconventional components be shown in order to disclose an illustrativeembodiment for practicing the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, thepremises server 230 includes a network interface 400 for connectingdirectly to a LAN or a WAN, or for connecting remotely to a LAN or WAN.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the networkinterface 400 includes the necessary circuitry for such a connection,and is also constructed for use with the TCP/IP protocol or otherprotocols, such as Internet Inter-ORB Protocol (“IIOP”). The premisesserver 230 may also be equipped with a modem for connecting to theInternet through a PPP or SLIP connection as known to those skilled inthe art.

[0039] The premises server 230 also includes a processing unit 402, adisplay 404, a device interface 406 and a mass memory 408, all connectedvia a communication bus, or other communication device. The deviceinterface 406 includes hardware and software components that facilitateinteraction with a variety of the monitoring devices 236 via a varietyof communication protocols including TCP/IP, X10, digital I/O, RS-232,RS-485 and the like. Additionally, the device interface facilitatescommunication via a variety of communication mediums including telephonelandlines, wireless networks (including cellular, digital and radionetworks), cable networks, and the like. In an actual embodiment of thepresent invention, the I/O interface is implemented as a layer betweenthe server hardware and software applications utilized to control theindividual digital image devices. One skilled in the relevant art willunderstand that alternative interface configurations may be practicedwith the present invention.

[0040] The mass memory 408 generally comprises a RAM, ROM, and apermanent mass storage device, such as a hard disk drive, tape drive,optical drive, floppy disk drive, or combination thereof. The massmemory 408 stores an operating system 410 for controlling the operationof the premises server 230. It will be appreciated that this componentmay comprise a general-purpose server operating system as is known tothose skilled in the art, such as UNIX, LINUX™, or Microsoft WINDOWSNT®. The memory also includes a WWW browser 412, such as Netscape'sNAVIGATOR® or Microsoft's Internet Explorer, for accessing the WWW.

[0041] The mass memory also stores program code and data for interfacingwith various premises monitoring devices 234, for processing themonitoring device data and for transmitting the data to the centralserver 204 or browser computing device 224. More specifically, the massmemory stores a interface application 414 in accordance with the presentinvention for obtaining standard protocol-encoded commands from thebrowser computing device 224 or central server 204. The interfaceapplication and for translating the commands into device specificprotocols. Additionally, the interface application 414 obtainsmonitoring device data from the connected monitoring devices 234 andmanipulates the data for processing by a central server 204, and forcontrolling the features of the individual monitoring devices 238. Theinterface application 414 comprises computer-executable instructionswhich, when executed by the premises server 230, obtains and transmitsdevice data. The mass memory 408 also stores a data transmittalapplication program 416 for transmitting the device data to the centralserver 204 or browser computing device 224. It will be appreciated thatthese components may be stored on a computer-readable medium and loadedinto the memory of the premises server 230 using a drive mechanismassociated with the computer-readable medium, such as a floppy, CD-ROM,DVD-ROM drive, or network interface 400.

[0042] With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6, an embodiment for accessingone or more monitoring devices 236 via a browser computing device 224utilizing a common user interface utilizing standard protocol enabledcommunications will be described. Generally described, the presentinvention utilizes an application program interface (“API”) for thecommunication and control of networked devices, such as monitoringdevices 234 and output devices 236, in the integrated information system200. To initiate control, a user submits a control request formanipulating devices to a central server 204 through Internet. In anillustrative embodiment of the present invention, the control requestmay be initiated as a direct communication to the central server 204 oras a request submitted through an interface, such as a Web page. Theuser request can include an identification of one or more networkeddevices desired to be controlled/monitored. Alternatively, the requestmay include one or more search terms for identifying any networkeddevices that match inputted criteria. The user request can also includelogin information and security information that allows the centralserver 204 to verify the identification of the user and to evaluatesecurity issues relating to accessing one or more of the devices.

[0043] Upon obtaining the control request, the central server 204responds by dynamically generating and sending a control and/or viewerapplication to the browser computing device 224. In an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, the control and viewer applicationare sent as Java applets, that when executed by a browser softwareapplication creates the control application 226, and viewer application228. At this time, the premises server 230 and the monitoring devices236 in a premises 202 are not involved. During this process, the centralserver 204 may authenticate the user, verify the privilege level of theuser, and determine the currently available devices 236, 234 formanipulation and the premises servers 230 controlling those devices.Accordingly, the central server 204 can dynamically cover the browserapplication to include the necessary graphic and protocol interfaces foreach requested networked device to be controlled in the same instance ofthe browser application.

[0044] With reference to FIG. 6, once the control application 226 andthe viewer application 228 are executed on the browser computing device224, the user can choose a device from a list of available devices to bemanipulated and choose control instructions to manipulate the selecteddevice. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the usercommunicates various selections, such as a particular device formanipulation or device control requests, by using the input devices(e.g., a mouse) to select portions of a graphical template relating totheir desired action. For instance, to control the pan, tilt, zoom(“PTZ”) of an image capture device, a user can manipulate a graphicalimage of a compass rose. In turn, the control application 226 acceptsthe user's request and translates the request into a standard protocolcommand for the request.

[0045]FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrative of a screen display 700generated by the browser computing device 224 and including a controlapplication 226 and the viewer application 228. The screen display 700includes a graphical area 702 operable to display the digital or analogimages outputted by a selected monitoring device-an image capturedevice. Below the graphic image area 702 is a row of control buttons 704operable to control the display of the output. For example, a user maymanipulate one of the control buttons 704 to control the playback of amotion video or to scan through motion video. The screen display 700 canalso include additional elements corresponding to a control application226. For example, the screen display 700 can include a compass rose 706to control the movement of a device, such as an image capture device.The screen display can also include additional graphical and textualdisplay 708, 710 for displaying data for additional devices within theintegrated information network. For example, areas 708 and 710 mayrepresent additional digital capture devices in communication with thebrowser computing device that the user may toggle.

[0046] In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, the standard protocol utilized by the control application 226is a generic language capable of controlling basic device activity thatis generally common to a particular type of device. For instance, mostcameras are capable of pan, tilt, or zoom activity allowing the deviceto pan left or right, tilt up or down, or zoom near or far. The standardprotocol encodes the user's instructions in an established standardlanguage rather than a manufacturer-specific protocol. Accordingly, thecontrol application 226 is not required to maintain, or otherwise, anymanufacturer-specific protocols. For example, with regard to controllingan image capture device, a user indication of panning the device to theleft 50% of the maximum range of movement, can generate an instructionin standard protocol, for example as “PAN L/50.” Likewise, in the caseof controlling a thermostat, a user may want to set a new temperature,at 72 degree, then the user may type in 72 at the temperature settingfield and the control application 223 will generate an instruction instandard protocol, such as “SET TEMP/72”.

[0047] Upon receiving the standard protocol encoded instructions, thepremises server 230 identifies the targeted device and translates theinstructions into device specific protocol instructions. In anillustrative embodiment of the present invention, the device interfacedatabase 232 maintains information correlating the standard controlinstructions and a corresponding device-specific protocol. The premisesserver 230 then transmits the device specific control instruction to thetargeted device, or devices. The device 234, 236 executes the devicespecific instruction and returns a result of the execution back to thepremises server 230. In an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, the result from the premises server 230 can also betranslated into a standard protocol by the premises server 230, in theevent the output is proprietary to the device. Alternatively, a devicemay also send the executing result back to the viewer application 228directly if the device can generate the executing results in thestandard protocol. For example, an image capture monitoring device 234may generate images a generally acceptable standard format, such as abitmap or jpeg file.

[0048] With reference now to FIG. 8, a standard device control routine800 implemented by a browser computing device 224 in accordance with thepresent invention will be described. At block 802, the browser computingdevice 224 transmits a control request to the central server 204. Asexplained above, in an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,the browser computing device 224 may transmit a request in the form ofcommunication including an identification one or more networked devicesto control, user identification and authentication information and thelike. Alternatively, the request can include one or more search criteriathat will allow the central server 204 to select any networked devicematching the criteria. In an alternative embodiment, the control requestmay be transmitted by displaying a Web page on the browser computingdevice that allows a user to manipulate one or more fields/component toselect desired networked devices.

[0049] At block 804, the browser computing device 224 obtains a controlapplication 226 and a viewer application 228 from the central server204. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, the control and viewer applications 226, 228 are dynamicallygenerated and include Java commands, which when executed by a Webbrowser, generate a graphical user interface. The utilization of Javacommands, or applets, is well known in the relevant art and will not beexplained in greater detail. Both the control and viewer application226, 228 may include one or more components that are unique to aparticular type of networked device. For example, a thermostat controlapplication 226 may include a sliding scale graphical component that canbe manipulated to set a desired temperature. Likewise, an image capturecontrol application 226 may include graphical components, such as acompass rose, to allow a user to control the pan, tilt, zone of adevice.

[0050] In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the Javacommands may be operable to generate both the control application 226and the viewer application 228 as part of a common user interface. Anexample of a combination control and viewer application is illustratedin screen display 700 (FIG. 7). Additionally, in accordance with thepresent invention, the Java commands may be operable to generate controland viewer application for multiple devices in the same browserapplication. Accordingly, a user may toggle, or otherwise select, whichcontrol or viewer components they wish to manipulate. Still further, inan illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a single controlapplication 226 or viewer application 228 may be utilized to correspondto multiple devices. For example, a user may be able to control therecording function of any number of image capture devices bymanipulating a single control button, such as control button 704. Anexample of a dynamically generated user interface is illustrated inco-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/966,814, entitled SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR DYNAMIC INTERACTION WITH REMOTE DEVICES, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

[0051] At block 806, the browser computing device 224 establishescommunication with a premises server 230, or premises servers 230,corresponding to the selected networked device(s) and verifies accessthe premises server. In an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, the control and/or viewer application may includeidentification information, such as an Internet Protocol address, thatallows the browser computing device 224 to communicate directly with thepremises server 230 via the communication network. Alternatively, thebrowser computing device 224 may route all communications through thecentral server 204. In an illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention, the premises server 230 can transmit one or more replycommunications that verify the access and/or transmit the current stateof the selected device. For example, if the networked device is anloudspeaker, the premises server 230 may transmit a confirmationcommunication including the current decibel level of the loudspeaker.

[0052] At block 808, the control application 226 or viewer application228 can begin to transmit control instructions. In accordance with thepresent invention, the control instructions can include instructions tomanipulate one or more settings of the device, data to be outputted by adevice, requests for data generated by the device, and the like.Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, the controlinstructions generated by the browser computing device 224 are encodedin a standard communication protocol. In an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, the standard communication protocol definesfunctions that are common to a particular type of device, regardless ofthe manufacturer. The standard communication protocol may includeindustry designated communication protocols, proprietary communicationprotocols, or other communication protocols adopted by the integratedinformation system 200 as a communication standard. In an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, the standard protocol encodedinstructions may be transmitted as a single transmission or set oftransmissions.

[0053] At block 810, the browser computing device 224 obtains standardprotocol encoded results and/or networked device status. As describedabove, one or more outputs from a networked device, such as a monitoringdevice 236, may be originally generated in a proprietary protocol or astandard communication protocol. As will be described below, in anillustrative embodiment of the present invention, the results from thenetworked device will be encoded in a standard communication protocol.One skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that outputs can includeimage data, audio data, device parameter status and the like.Additionally, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the standardcommunication protocol for encoding instructions may be the same as thestandard communication protocol for encoding results. Alternatively, thestandard communication protocols may be different.

[0054] At decision block 812, a test is conducted to determine whetherthere are any additional control instructions to be transmitted. Forexample, a user may designate a single instruction to be sent.Alternatively, the user may designate a series of instructions that areto be sent to one or more networked devices. If there are additionalcontrol instructions, the routine 800 returns to block 808.Alternatively, if there are no further instructions to be transmitted,the routine 800 terminates at block 814.

[0055] With reference now to FIG. 9, a routine 900 implemented by apremises server 230 for translating standard protocol controlinstructions will be described. At block 902, the interface application414 of the premises server 230 receives a standard protocol encodedinstruction. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, thestandard control instruction can include data identifying the one ormore networked devices that are to be manipulated by the controlinstructions. Each instruction can correspond to a single networkeddevice (e.g., a particular image capture device) or to a group ofnetworked devices (e.g., all the image capture devices in communicationwith the premises server 230). At block 904, the interface application414 obtains device-specific protocols for the one or more devicesdesignated in the control instruction. In an illustrative embodiment ofthe present invention, the premises server 230 obtains thedevice-specific protocols from the device interface database 232.

[0056] At block 906 the premises server 230 translates the controlinstruction into a device-specific protocol corresponding to adesignated networked device, such as a monitoring device 236 or outputdevice 234. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, thetranslation can include the correlation of the standard encodedinstruction into a corresponding instruction in a device-specificprotocol. Additionally, in the event the device-specific protocolsupports additional features and/or attributes not specified in thestandard encoded instruction, the translation can also include settingone or more default settings. At block 908, the interface application414 transmits the designated networked devices. In an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, the interface application 414 maytransmit each instruction individually, or as a mass transmission.

[0057] As described above, in one embodiment of the present invention,outputs from a networked device, such as a monitoring device 236, may beencoded in a device-specific protocol. Accordingly, in an illustrativeembodiment of the present invention, the interface application 414obtains device-specific protocol encoded output results at block 910. Atblock 912, the data transmittal application 416 translates the outputresults from a device-specific protocol into the standard protocol. Asdescribed above, the standard protocol may be the same standard protocolutilized to encode the instruction from the browser computing device224, or may be a separate protocol. At block 914, the data transmittalapplication 416 transmits the standard protocol results to the browsercomputing device 224. Additionally, the output results may also betransmitted to the central server 204 for further processing. At block916, the routine 900 terminates. One skilled in the relevant art willappreciate that block 910-914 may be omitted if the translation is notrequired. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, processing of theoutput of the results may be conducted by additional computing devicesconfigured for a particular device, such as grabber 238.

[0058] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention havebeen described with regard to an integrated information system 200configured for security monitoring, the present invention is not limitedto such an implementation. Any networked device capable of control canbe managed through a browser computing device 224 in accordance with thepresent invention without requiring the browser computing device 224 tomaintain communication protocols for every networked device. Forexample, the present invention may implemented in a wide variety ofimplementations including controlling moving equipment such as vehicles,submersibles, Moreover, the one skilled in the relevant art will furtherappreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a differentnetwork configuration, such as a dedicated device control network, inwhich a dedicated device server is utilized.

[0059] The present invention facilitates use of multiple, dissimilardevices by providing standard interface templates. Additionally, byestablishing a dedicated communication channel with the premises server,thereby bypassing a web or application server, the present inventionmitigates unnecessary processing steps that impede the flow ofcommunication. In accordance with the present invention, theconfiguration of a dedicated communication channel allows for increasedscalability of the number of monitoring devices utilized in theintegrated information system and controlled by the common userinterface.

[0060] While illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changescan be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. In a computer systemhaving a display and at least one user interface selection device, amethod for controlling devices, the method comprising: obtaining a userselection of one or more networked devices to be manipulated from theuser interface; obtaining a user interface application corresponding tothe selected one or more networked devices; displaying the userinterface corresponding to the selected one or more networked devices;obtaining a user selection of an operation corresponding to at least oneselected networked device; encoding the selected operation according toa standard communication protocol instruction; transmitting the selectedstandard protocol instruction to a server corresponding to the selectednetworked device; obtaining an output corresponding to the selectedoperation of the selected device.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1further comprising authenticating user privilege levels prior todisplaying the user interface.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1,wherein the selected networked device is a monitoring device.
 4. Themethod as recited in claim 3, wherein the monitoring device is an imagecapture monitoring device.
 5. The method as recited in claim 4, whereinthe user interface includes a display area operable to display outputscorresponding to the image capture device monitoring device.
 6. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the selected networked device isan output device.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theoutput includes a confirmation corresponding to the selected operationof the selected device
 8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein theoutput includes data indicative of a networked device status.
 9. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the user interface applicationincludes one or more Java applets that are operable to generate agraphical user interface.
 10. The method as recited in claim 1 furthercomprising deleting the user interface after obtaining the outputcorresponding to the device status.
 11. The method as recited in claim1, wherein the standard communication protocol is device independent.12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user interface is aWeb-based graphical user interface.
 13. The method as recited in claim12, wherein the user interface is dynamically generated.
 14. The methodas recited in claim 1, wherein the obtaining a user selection of anoperation corresponding to at least one selected networked deviceincludes obtaining a user manipulation of a graphical icon.
 15. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer system is a securitymonitoring network and wherein the networked devices correspond to thesecurity monitoring computer system.
 16. A computer-readable mediumhaving a computer-executable program therein for performing the methodrecited in any one of claims 1-15.
 17. A computer system having aprocessor, a memory, and an operating system, wherein the computersystem is operable to perform the method cited in any one of claims1-15.
 18. In a system having a server in communication with at least onenetworked device and a remote browser computing device in communicationwith the server, a method for providing a common device interface formanipulating networked devices, the method comprising: obtaining arequest to manipulate a networked device from the remote browsercomputing device, wherein the request includes one or more monitoringdevice control instructions encoded in a standard communicationprotocol; translating the standard communication protocol controlinstructions into device-specific control protocols of the monitoringdevice; and transmitting the translated device-specific controlinstruction to a networked device corresponding to the request.
 19. Themethod as recited in claim 18 further comprising: obtainingdevice-specific results from the networked device; translating thedevice-specific results into standard protocol encoded results; andtransmitting the standard protocol encoded results to the browsercomputing device computer.
 20. The method as recited in claim 18,wherein the selected networked device is a monitoring device.
 21. Themethod as recited in claim 20, wherein the monitoring device is an imagecapture monitoring device.
 22. The method as recited in claim 21,wherein the user interface includes a display area operable to displayoutputs corresponding to the image capture device monitoring device. 23.The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the selected networked deviceis an output device.
 24. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein theoutput includes a confirmation corresponding to the selected operationof the selected device
 25. The method as recited in claim 18, whereinthe output includes data indicative of a networked device status.
 26. Acomputer system providing a common device interface for manipulatingcontrollable devices comprising: a client computer including awed-browser operable to generate standard protocol encoded instructionsfor one or more controllable devices; a central server in communicationwith the client computer, wherein the central server is operable totransmit a control application corresponding to a designatedcontrollable device; a premises server in communication with at leastone controllable device, wherein the premises server is operable toobtain standard protocol encoded instructions generated by the clientcomputer, generate device-specific instructions for the designatedcontrollable device and transmit the device-specific instructions to thedesignated controllable device.
 27. The computer system as recited inclaim 26, wherein the central server is further operable to dynamicallygenerate the control application based on a client computer request. 28.The computer system as recited in claim 26, wherein the central serveris further operable to dynamically generate a viewer application basedon a client computer request and the viewer application displays on theclient computer.
 29. The computer system as recited in claim 26, whereinthe controllable device is a monitoring device.
 30. The computer systemas recited in claim 20, wherein the monitoring device is an imagecapture device.
 31. The computer system as recited in claim 26, whereinthe control application is a browser-based control application.
 32. Thecomputer system as recited in claim 26, further comprising a web serveroperable to obtain results from the monitoring devise and transmit theresults to the client computer.